Â Flatulence, also known as farting, is the act of passing intestinal gas from the anus. Gas in the gastrointestinal tract has only two sources. It is either swallowed air or is produced by bacteria that normally inhabit the intestines, primarily the colon. Swallowed air is rarely the cause of excessive flatulence.

Â Itâ€™s normal to have some gas. Air swallowed during eating typically collects in the stomach and is passed via belching. Bacteria also cause certain foods, especially beans, to break down into hydrogen, methane and carbon dioxide. Most people produce about 1-3 pints a day and pass gas about 10 times a day. Flatulence itself, although not life threatening, can definitely cause social embarrassment. This embarrassment is often the reason why you might seek medical help for excessive gas. What to do for you not to have gas?

Â Avoid eating large quantities of gas-causing foods at one time. Slow down when eating because that causes gas. Â These include beans, peas, broccoli, cauliflower, artichokes, cabbage, raisins, prunes and apples. They contain hard-to-digest carbohydrates that ferment in the bowels. Avoid carbonated beverages as well as hot drinks.

Donâ€™t rush when you eat. A large number of people though are known to be affected by the intake of fried and refined foods. Processed foods, especially those that are excessively sweetened by refined sugar, may also lead to flatulence. Such foods are rich in carbohydrates and low in fiber, and are hence not digested completely.

Donâ€™t chew gum that also attends to give gas too. Do not drink water during a meal, and at least one hour after a meal. We have a normal habit of washing down the food we eat with water. Discontinue this habit as soon as possible.

Â There are over the counter anti flatulence aids such as Beano, charcoal tablets, Gas-X or Phazyme that can also relieve flatulence. Hope we all try some of these methods so we all can avoid gas. While not affecting the production of the gases themselves, agents which lower surface tension can reduce the disagreeable sensations associated with flatulence, by aiding the dissolving of the gases into other liquid and solid fecal matter.